Travel

None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.

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If you only read a few

Install a dash cam in your vehicle.
There are many instances where one is needed.
- This is noted as the most expensive tip on the list.
one person who lived it
Keep your backpack weight under 20-25 pounds.
Carrying more than this causes you to spend time hauling items rather than walking.
one person who lived it
Pick only a few specific things to do or see during the week and leave the rest spontaneous.
This helps avoid coming back from vacation tired.
one person who lived it
Limit continuous driving stints to no more than two or three hours.
to prevent fatigue
one person who lived it
Carry a USB power bank and multiple types of phone charging cables to charge devices while out.
People appreciate being able to charge their phones when out and about; it is highly valued when your battery starts dying.
one person who lived it

carry, items, avoid, travel44

Check if newer aircraft charge extra for exit row legroom before assuming it is free.

Use a tennis ball or lacrosse ball for myofascial release to roll out muscle knots.
They help relieve tension in muscles.
- Lacrosse balls are more painful.
one person who lived it
Keep spare eyeglasses at work, in your car, and in the office.
It is described as a total game changer.
one person who lived it
Do not carry a multi-tool in your backpack through airport security.
You may be forced to forfeit it.
one person who lived it
Keep travel gear strictly in travel bags and maintain duplicate sets for home use.
Prevents forgetting to put items back in the bag after trips.
one person who lived it
- Keep a dedicated toiletries bag permanently packed to avoid forgetting items or running out of supplies during trips.1

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Wrap a small amount of duct tape around your backpack frame for easy access to repairs.
It allows you to have tape available without carrying the entire roll.
one person who lived it
Carry your passport, ID, and some cash on cruise ship day trips.
To avoid being stranded indefinitely without documents if you miss the boat.
one person who lived it
Ask a flight attendant to help you switch to an open seat after the doors close.
They will often allow the switch if there are open seats available.
one person who lived it
Buy two adjacent seats directly instead of relying on switching tricks to sit together.
It saves the hassle of trying to negotiate seat switches with strangers.
one person who lived it
Use restrooms in stores targeted at women (e.g., Justice, Home Goods) or big-name truck stops (e.g., Love's) for cleaner facilities.
The men's bathroom in these places is often cleaner than home toilets.
one person who lived it
Ask hotel staff for free supplies like plastic or reusable cloth bags from the front desk or closet.
Hotels often have free items available
- Do not steal reusable cloth bags
one person who lived it
Freeze jugs of water to use as ice blocks in coolers during trips.
It provides a convenient source of ready-to-use ice for portable coolers.
one person who lived it
Check if newer aircraft charge extra for exit row legroom before assuming it is free.
Airlines now sell those seats as expensive extra legroom options.
2 people, independently
Buy a high-quality travel bag and mark it with distinct bright tape for easy identification.
It survives rough handling and is easier to spot at baggage claim.
one person who lived it
Buy spices grown in the country you are visiting.
You can cook with them and remember the trip; it counts toward your grocery budget.
one person who lived it
Place a waterproof bed pad under the passenger seat in your car.
It keeps seats clean when transporting messy items.
one person who lived it
Mail belongings in a cardboard box instead of using damaged luggage to avoid baggage fees.
Way cheaper than paying airline baggage fees.
one person who lived it
Carry travel-size antiperspirant to reapply on hot days.
It helps to reapply on hot days.
one person who lived it
Use roll-on deodorant instead of cologne in your car.
Heat in a hot car boils away fragrance, providing no benefit.
one person who lived it
Carry an insulated flask or travel mug during travel.
It avoids buying expensive hot drinks.
one person who lived it
Place dirty laundry in transparent bags so staff do not mistake them for garbage.
Staff might think opaque bags are garbage
one person who lived it
Carry a Safe Edge can opener for easier management compared to P-38 openers.
They are easier to manage than P-38 openers.
- Some people prefer P-38 openers.
one person who lived it
Wash down jackets at home and hang them to dry instead of dry cleaning.
Professionals typically launder and air-dry them anyway, so you get the same processing for less money.
one person who lived it
Keep a cheap pair of headphones in your backpack so you never forget them.
Having one at home and one in the bag ensures availability.
one person who lived it
Pack all important items, including clothes, in your carry-on luggage for business trips.
Lost or delayed checked bags can prevent you from arriving in appropriate attire.
one person who lived it
Put stretchable t-shirts inside lingerie bags before washing to prevent stretching.
This prevents the shirt from getting stretched in top-loading washing machines.
one person who lived it
Carry a travel spork or camping spoon-fork because restaurants often do not include utensils with food delivery.
Avoids having to ask front desks for forks.
one person who lived it
Use paperclips instead of string to secure luggage zippers as a tamper indicator.
It saves time fiddling with string.
one person who lived it
Avoid storing digital copies of IDs and insurance documents in the cloud.
Scammers who obtain your password can access all your personal information.
one person who lived it
Wash dirty travel clothes immediately upon returning home rather than putting them in a hamper.
To avoid bringing unwanted travelers (pests) back with you.
one person who lived it
Bring a Polaroid camera to take printed pictures for people in remote areas who may not have camera phones.
People love printed pictures.
one person who lived it
Use keychains as Christmas ornaments.
They are sturdy and often easier to find than traditional ornaments.
2 people, independently
Mail a postcard to yourself from your vacation destination.
It serves as a cheap souvenir with local postal markings.
one person who lived it
Photograph the driver's medallion or ID card displayed inside the taxi instead of the exterior plate.
It avoids holding up traffic while standing outside the vehicle.
one person who lived it
Carry a small bottle of moisturizer to treat dry hands, particularly in winter.
Hands can become extremely dry in the morning during cold weather.
one person who lived it
Keep a journal while traveling.
Rereading your thoughts and observations later has a distinct emotional impact.
one person who lived it
Use online packing lists to ensure you pack everything needed.
Even though they list more items than necessary, they help ensure nothing essential is missed.
one person who lived it
Check online 'popular times' data or ask ticket staff for less busy showtimes to secure preferred seats easily.
Staff may recommend quiet times to sell tickets during those periods.
one person who lived it
Purchase practical items you already need, such as clothing or glasses, while traveling to associate daily use with travel memories.
There is more sentiment behind functional clothing bought while traveling, and it gets frequent use.
one person who lived it
At airport security, move items from pants pockets into coat pockets before screening.
to avoid scrambling to empty pockets and allow you to simply put the coat through the machine
one person who lived it
Purchase music from local artists or street musicians as a unique souvenir.
It is interesting when traveling internationally.
one person who lived it
Expect engineers to adjust sound remotely via iPad while walking around the venue.
Digital consoles allow remote control ability.
one person who lived it
Carry essential survival items: sleeping bag, rain protection, water bottle, knife, fire starter, map/GPS, water purifier, pot, and emergency contact device.
one person who lived it
If you drive occasionally while traveling, keep your driver's license in your travel drawer to avoid forgetting it.
one person who lived it

Recognize that sand texture varies by beach, affecting how much it sticks or irritates feet.
Fine, dry, warm sand falls off on its own, while other types can hurt.
one person who lived it
Keep your travel bag free of items you would not cross a border with, such as agricultural products.
To avoid issues with prohibited items.
one person who lived it
Use a headphone amp for bass guitar practice to avoid noise complaints and carrying an amp.
to avoid annoying roommates and lugging heavy equipment
one person who lived it
Identify good backroads by looking for winding lines on maps and avoiding main routes from towns to cities.
Winding lines indicate hills; main routes are less desirable.
one person who lived it

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Secure all clasps on delicate items before washing to prevent tearing.
The machine can cause open clasps to catch on delicate fabric and tear it easily
one person who lived it